Going to Australia from Singapore? Here’s what you need to know

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Planning a big trip from Singapore to Australia? Now that travel is opening up globally, we’ve all got the travel bug once again. And where better than Australia for a dose of laid back living, sun and culture?

This guide covers all you need to know about travel to Australia from Singapore, plus we’ll introduce Wise as your perfect partner when spending on international travel.

Singapore to Australia VTL

Remember VTLs? During the height of the pandemic, to keep everyone safe, travel was extremely restricted, with specific Vaccinated Travel Lanes operating to allow some limited travel to and from Singapore. The good news is that as the pandemic has subsided, VTLs are no longer in use, and we can travel far more freely now.

So how about Australia? According to the Australian High Commission in Singapore, from 6 July 2022, there was no need for people travelling to Australia to prove their covid vaccination status, or to complete any specific covid related declaration. Singapore has now also dropped the ICA covid requirements for entering Singapore - which means that no VTL is required.

You’ll still need to comply with the normal requirements and rules for entering Australia, including having a visa and valid passport - we’ll look at these rules next - and then you’ll have to complete the ICA Singapore arrival card on your way back. Far easier than under the VTL system.

As we are all now aware, travel restrictions and requirements can be subject to sudden changes. Stay updated and check all the latest information before you head off to Australia, just in case. In the following sections, we’ll unpick the current rules and regulations, and the best ways to get to Australia from Singapore easily.

Australia travel requirements

So we’ve already covered the fact that, at the time of writing, there are no covid-19 specific travel requirements for Australia. You can enter the country, even if you’re unvaccinated, with no testing or quarantine regime in place. However, there are still some requirements for entering Australia from Singapore, naturally. These include:

• You must have the correct visa type, based on your travel reason and duration
• You must complete the Australia incoming passenger card
• You must not bring in any prohibited items (more on that in a moment)

Double check all the requirements for entry to Australia before you travel, to make sure you don’t experience any issues boarding your flight or entering the country.

Australia visas for Singaporeans

There are a few different visa types available to Singapore citizens, based on the reason for your travel and how long you’ll stay. You may even be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which allows you to enter as a tourist for a short visit. This visa type usually has a low fee of 20 AUD which covers the administration costs.

If you’re planning a longer trip as a tourist you might want a Visa 600 which is offered before travel to Australia, or can be issued within Australia if you’ve already travelled and want to extend your stay. These visas can be issued for as long as 12 months if you’re really enjoying exploring Australia. Fees vary from 150 AUD to 380 AUD depending on where you apply, and visas can take a while to be issued, so plan well in advance. 50% of visas in this visa class are issued in 10 days, and 90% come within 28 days.

Use the Australia visa finder wizard to enter your travel details and check which is the best visa for you.

Australia import rules

As with any country, Australia has rules on what you can and can not bring into the country, which are enforced by the Australian Border Force. While some of the rules are common globally - for example you can’t enter with weapons or live animals - some are not as intuitive. It’s important to check through the rules closely, as some items are entirely prohibited, and others must be declared on entry to the country. Some common items the Border Force is asked about include:

• Fresh fruit - this can not be imported
• Home made food - this can not be imported
• Food you were given on the plane - this can not be imported
• Duty free items - may need to be declared
• Prescription medicines - needs to be declared

How to travel to Australia from Singapore

If you’re planning to travel from Singapore to Australia you’ll need to fly. That said, there are plenty of flight options to major Australian cities, and once you’re in Australia you’ll also be able to connect to other destinations easily enough. Here are some non-stop flight options from Singapore to Australia you might want to consider:

• Singapore to Sydney, from 7 hours 35 minutes
• Singapore to Melbourne, from 7 hours 10 minutes
• Singapore to Perth, from 5 hours
• Singapore to Brisbane, from 7 hours 25 minutes
• Singapore to Adelaide, from 6 hours 45 minutes

As well as flag carriers like Singapore Airlines and Qantas, you can also get to Australia on Scoot, JetStar and AirAsia among others, which means there’s a selection of options at different price points.

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